BMW releases 2013 Diesel X5, 3 Series and 5 Series details
BMW plans to introduce three new diesel models to the U.S. in 2013, in addition to the highly successful BMW X5 35d, which reported a sales increase of 39% last year to over 10,000 vehicles (10,276). The 4-cylinder diesel will premiere in the 3 Series Sedan and Touring and the new 6-cylinder diesel will make its debut in the 5 Series. For the first time ever in the U.S., diesel AWD will be offered in the BMW 5 Series.
Read more about BMW's 2013 strategy
Recent BMW News
Latest Forum Discussions
January 14, 2013, 7:40 pm
The 3er diesel name has definitely not been decided upon
Lots of open questions still
January 14, 2013, 11:00 pm
About time. Love those 318d getting 60mpg in Europe. Hopefully these crack 50mpgs at least.
January 14, 2013, 11:04 pm
Lots of open questions still
January 15, 2013, 2:44 am
I bet it will be 328d, because 320d will sound too weak for BMWUSA
January 15, 2013, 11:40 am
So far I dont see BMW mentioning anything on their website about diesel plans
January 15, 2013, 12:00 pm
Didn't they say diesel cars should start arriving in late spring? That's around May and June. Given corporate needs to time to produce promotion video, publications, training for marketing, sales and mechanics ........Decision should have been made by now. They can't wait until April (just random number).
January 15, 2013, 12:46 pm
January 15, 2013, 1:12 pm
January 15, 2013, 2:32 pm
January 15, 2013, 10:50 pm
Lots of open questions still
January 16, 2013, 7:03 am
4 wheel drive on a 5 series?! damn it I would loved it on my 335d
January 16, 2013, 11:17 am
I just checked one of the European BMW websites
They have the following interesting models available
320d xdrive Manual
320d xdrive Touring manual
525d xdrive Manual
525d xdrive Touring Auto
I guess none of these will reach US
The rumors about the new upcoming 3 series diesel in US are about 320d Auto /hopefully manual option/ and 320d Touring and also 520d Auto /less possible/ or 535d Auto
January 16, 2013, 11:36 am
The diesel bound for the US is a new engine so European models will not directly correlate.
I got some good inside info about the Diesel's coming later this week.
Tim
January 16, 2013, 11:51 am
Additionally, note that the "new" 320i sedan that BMW just announced (out of the clear blue!) has a manual option only for the RWD version (not the xDrive). They're cutting down on manuals and that is just the way the marketing cookie crumbles.
January 16, 2013, 12:31 pm
I am glad I have E46 M3 6sp which is one of the last real BMWs
January 16, 2013, 12:34 pm
5 series AWD diesel is going to be awesome. My next car maybe?
January 16, 2013, 12:53 pm
I got some good inside info about the Diesel's coming later this week.
Tim
The info provided by BMW insiders last Sep described power output of the 6 cyl coming to N America to be that of the 530d.
January 16, 2013, 1:24 pm
As I heard the new 3L diesel will be twin-scroll turbo instead of the present twin-turbo /two independent turbos/
January 16, 2013, 2:27 pm
This is exciting news but I read it as also suggesting the 320d, or whatever the name is, will not come in Xdrive.
January 16, 2013, 3:18 pm
I got some good inside info about the Diesel's coming later this week.
Tim
The info provided by BMW insiders last Sep described power output of the 6 cyl coming to N America to be that of the 530d.
January 16, 2013, 5:16 pm
January 16, 2013, 8:01 pm
So glad I bought my 335d, it's such a kick ass car. high mileage diesels don't excite me, been there with my Jetta
January 17, 2013, 8:51 am
Ditto Rick!! Jettas and Golf TDis are great but performance wise I believe, that said. Would love to see the a DIESEL coupe overhere
January 17, 2013, 9:44 am
A 5d xdrive may be my next BMW.
January 18, 2013, 2:58 pm
YES!!! Diesel AWD!!
January 18, 2013, 6:45 pm
This was spotted at the Montreal Auto Show by someone on a diff't forum. Engine specs look off, but it's a diesel and has AWD, IN A 3 SERIES!
January 18, 2013, 7:01 pm
The spec that looks real far out of whack is the 295 lb-ft torque. It says twin turbo too. I thought a 330d was a single turbo. I mention 330d as everyone is speculating we will get the 530d not the 535d this year. If the torque # is valid, maybe there is hope for a manual trans but i doubt it.
January 18, 2013, 7:14 pm
When is the tri-turbo, awd 5er coming? I know the answer unfortunately... never. Will be interested in seeing the awd 5er though.
January 19, 2013, 12:51 pm
Saintor snapped this photo of the engine bay of the car at the montreal show. That one is a 4cyl.
The power output shown in the snapshot from the montreal show is close, but a bit lower than the '25d' in both hp and torque
January 19, 2013, 12:54 pm
I got some good inside info about the Diesel's coming later this week.
Tim
January 20, 2013, 2:42 am
Diesel is currently running ~ $0.50/gal more than premium, which dampens my enthusiasm for the diesel wagon quite a bit.
Also, what's with the clamor for a manual diesel? With such a low redline, and all the torque down low... Manual diesels aren't that much more fun than an a/t.
January 20, 2013, 9:05 am
Also, what's with the clamor for a manual diesel? With such a low redline, and all the torque down low... Manual diesels aren't that much more fun than an a/t.
It's not like driving a Porsche but it has a lot of charm. Especially with al the extra torque that inturns lets you use the clutch much less gently in a for me fun way.
January 20, 2013, 10:01 am
Isn't it true that a diesel with a manual tranny driven in a particular manner to maximize mileage will, in fact, give the best possible fuel mileage? I understand that with any automatic tranny there is a certain amount of "slippage" that in turns reduces fuel mileage that is until you get into the higher gears in which the driveline is "locked". I probably didn't use the proper terms as I am not an engineer but this is my basic understanding. Doesn't a manual VW TDI have a higher fuel mileage rating that a similarly equipped automatic?
January 20, 2013, 10:45 am
I have driven diesels with manual transmissions and slush boxes over the years and it is true that back then the sticks performed better. However that said, the newer automatics have pretty well negated the advantages with their "lock up" that reduces the dreaded "slippage" from the autobox. I can remember back in the day when the Chevy's had "Powerglide" transmissions -- a two speed torque converter thing -- that was awful. Now of course the new transmissions are much better suited to emissions and gas mileage concerns. Still in certain circumstances and the diesel Golf's and Jetta's are one, the stick will almost certainly return better mileage than VW's box, but not by very much.
January 20, 2013, 11:06 am
In the past and not sure if still true but the manuals transmissions were lighter and supposedly that was part of why you got better mpg in certain diesels. The automatics though seem better about keeping the boost up between shifts and with more boost is more fuel consumption. So I could see depending on how someone drove their manual that they could sip better fuel economy out of it, assuming gearing between the two is near equal.
I personally don't care for manual transmissions in any type of turbocharged car. It is just me never fully adjusting to them. I have not had a factory one in almost ten years and that was our last Bug. My old race car when I sold it around 5 years ago I had swapped back to a manual as I was taming it down for more street driving.
January 20, 2013, 12:46 pm
January 20, 2013, 12:47 pm
January 20, 2013, 12:49 pm
January 20, 2013, 4:54 pm
Sent from my MB525 using Bimmer App
January 21, 2013, 8:32 am
That's why the manual transmission is very popular with the TDI.
I just had to do the DSG service last Dec.
But otherwise the FE is excellent and the performance is more than adequate for daily use.
Sent from my SGH-I717D using Bimmer App
January 21, 2013, 10:52 am
That's why the manual transmission is very popular with the TDI.
I just had to do the DSG service last Dec.
But otherwise the FE is excellent and the performance is more than adequate for daily use.
Sent from my SGH-I717D using Bimmer App
My local dealer quoted me $450ish for my old Jetta TDI
Fantastic car. Loved the little thing.
January 23, 2013, 11:32 pm
I live in MA, and have a set of 17" winter wheels. I am glad I have RWD, and have never had an issue in 3 winters. Consider the driving dynamics and efficiency..... For those of you who 'need' AWD in your diesels, do you run all season tires? In my opinion RWD with snows is at least as good as AWD with all seasons.
January 24, 2013, 12:23 am
January 24, 2013, 8:51 am
January 24, 2013, 9:02 am
Having driven an Audi S4 for a decade I can say that RWD is more fun but AWD is superior, even in sunny SoCal. RWD affords the ability to hang the tail out and do some throttle steering but the ability of AWD to allow you to just mash the throttle and have the car LEAP forward is something else. Our diesels would benefit from AWD since they have so much torque, even in dry weather driving. I would definitely be interested in an AWD diesel sedan as long as it's sport oriented.
January 24, 2013, 9:50 pm
A RWD 3 series, even with snows, is useless in a snow storm, simply because it can't get enough traction. An xDrive 3 series can pound through a foot of snow (even on all seasons).
I had a new F30 328xi loaner with all seasons a couple weeks ago. Thing was a tank in 1 ft snow.
This is why I think BMW will have a hard time selling RWD diesel sedans here. They need to be AWD.
January 24, 2013, 9:52 pm
They just updated the AWD system for the '13 all new RAV4 finally.
January 24, 2013, 10:14 pm
A RWD 3 series, even with snows, is useless in a snow storm, simply because it can't get enough traction. An xDrive 3 series can pound through a foot of snow (even on all seasons).
I had a new F30 328xi loaner with all seasons a couple weeks ago. Thing was a tank in 1 ft snow.
This is why I think BMW will have a hard time selling RWD diesel sedans here. They need to be AWD.
I'm not recommending it, but I drove through a pretty bad snow storm in rural Kentucky with my 2005 E320 CDI on half worn all-season low rolling resistance Michelins. The snow was about a foot deep. The car was amazing. Not as good as all wheel drive, but acceptable.
I've had a Miata with a LSD and snows on all 4 wheels which could handle anything that wasn't too high to stop it!
Don't forget, the 3 series Bimmers have 50/50 weight distribution which doesn't do badly for traction, even in RWD. I am a big fan of snows on all 4 wheels: especially was when I lived in New England.
PL
January 24, 2013, 10:18 pm
RWD + snows is still a compromise.
The ramp going into my work's parking garage shows this quite well in the winter. It's not covered, so the snow accumulates and it's not wide enough to get a plow truck inside it. No way a RWD car (even with snows) gets up there. The rear wheels just sit there spinning and the traction control keeps trying to gain some traction, that it can't.
Only cars that get into the garage on snow storm days are the AWD/4WD cars.
January 25, 2013, 12:08 am
RWD + snows is still a compromise.
The ramp going into my work's parking garage shows this quite well in the winter. It's not covered, so the snow accumulates and it's not wide enough to get a plow truck inside it. No way a RWD car (even with snows) gets up there. The rear wheels just sit there spinning and the traction control keeps trying to gain some traction, that it can't.
Only cars that get into the garage on snow storm days are the AWD/4WD cars.
Agreed then.
PL
January 25, 2013, 9:46 am
I've only lived in NE for about 10 years but the winter here is a joke. Snow stays on the ground for a couple days after a big snow storm at best and it might snow "big" a couple times a winter. I've found RWD and snow tires on my E46 M3 better then most FWD cars and have never had an issue getting anywhere for the one day it might be sort of bad.
I couldn't imagine getting AWD for the NE winters.
Tim
January 25, 2013, 10:55 am
January 25, 2013, 10:59 am
Tim
January 26, 2013, 4:40 pm
A RWD 3 series, even with snows, is useless in a snow storm, simply because it can't get enough traction. An xDrive 3 series can pound through a foot of snow (even on all seasons).
I had a new F30 328xi loaner with all seasons a couple weeks ago. Thing was a tank in 1 ft snow.
This is why I think BMW will have a hard time selling RWD diesel sedans here. They need to be AWD.
January 26, 2013, 4:51 pm
Living close to the arctic circle for 30 years taught me that AWD > FWD > RWD in snow. But to call RWD useless in snow is a bit of a stretch IMO.
January 26, 2013, 8:42 pm
January 26, 2013, 9:05 pm
January 26, 2013, 10:55 pm
I believe most of the people that purchased a diesel car in US are either Europeans or Americans who drove diesel car while visiting Europe
January 27, 2013, 11:39 am
Or people who remember them fondly when they were widely sold here in the US!
January 28, 2013, 8:41 am
The 4 cyl GLK 250 is now avalable on the Mercedes.ca website well in advance of the proposed X3. No mention yet on the L/100 Km figures but it should be very good. How many of the GLK 250's will be sold at the expense of the X3 an/or 320d with this lead time.
I am certainly interested.
January 28, 2013, 10:28 am
Not only the GLK but probably the Q5TDI and the Jeep GC diesel will also beat the X3 oiler to market here. I really can't understand why BMW is dragging their feet on this when they have a perfect engine already certified and in use in the X5 and earlier in the 335d.
January 28, 2013, 10:44 am
GLK will be 2.1L 4cyl turbo diesel and it will get excellent mpg /I believe it will be around 28mpg city and 40mpg hwy
X3 diesel and Q5 TDI will be 3L 6cyl and they will not be able to compete with the GLK's fuel economy
I don't understand what is the problem of BMW and Audi to use 2L diesel in X3 and Q5!?
The power is good enough and the mpg will be amazing
January 28, 2013, 11:04 am
Audi and BMW probably feel their customers overall care more about performance than fuel economy. Mercedes probably feels that their diesel customers are more of a dedicated base that care more about having a diesel than performance. What baffles me is how people would go about comparing a 4 cylinder diesel SUV to a 6. Seems almost like opposite ends of things to me.
January 28, 2013, 11:18 am
Diesels are performance vehicles.
My E320 CDI was a veritable hotrod for a luxury sedan. 0-60 in 6.6 seconds didn't really tell the whole story. 369 ft-lbs of torque. Only the V8 version need compete. Ever try to out-accelerate a Dodge Cummins??
37 mpg is a performance number just like quarter mile times....
PL
January 28, 2013, 11:27 am
My E320 CDI was a veritable hotrod for a luxury sedan. 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. 369 ft-lbs of torque. Only the V8 version need compete. Ever try to out-accelerate a Dodge Cummins??
37 mpg is a performance number just like quarter mile times....
PL
When I get onto the BMW forum I see more people talking more about performance than when I get on the Mercedes forum and by a long shot too. I also see more people talking of coming from or going to Audi when on the BMW forum but usually not so much on the Mercedes. It really seems like the general population of Mercedes buyers do not care near as much about the performance of their cars than the general population of the BMW/Audi buyers.
January 28, 2013, 12:16 pm
I heard BMW will offer 2L diesel in 5 series and I guess their decision is because of MB E250 Bluetec
Selling 5 series with 2L diesel but not the X3? Where is the point?
January 28, 2013, 12:30 pm
I heard BMW will offer 2L diesel in 5 series and I guess their decision is because of MB E250 Bluetek
Selling 5 series with 2L diesel but not the X3? Where is the point?
All anyone can really do is speculate why these manufacturers do what they do as well as when they might do something. Another factor for some of the choices could be for trying to meet overall fuel economy standards across their fleets or even specific models.
January 28, 2013, 1:38 pm
When I get onto the BMW forum I see more people talking more about performance than when I get on the Mercedes forum and by a long shot too. I also see more people talking of coming from or going to Audi when on the BMW forum but usually not so much on the Mercedes. It really seems like the general population of Mercedes buyers do not care near as much about the performance of their cars than the general population of the BMW/Audi buyers.
Mercedes builds cars differently too.
PL
January 28, 2013, 7:46 pm
I heard BMW will offer 2L diesel in 5 series and I guess their decision is because of MB E250 Bluetek
Selling 5 series with 2L diesel but not the X3? Where is the point?
January 28, 2013, 9:48 pm
Snipe is right. This is all just a bunch of speculation until the cars come off of the ship. At the outset of this thread, i came to the understanding of 4 cylinders being in the the 3 series and X3 and 6 cylinders being in the 5 series and X5. I'm thinking the 6 cylinder in a 3 series was likely only from 2009 to 2011. We 335d owners may have unique hot rods that only will compare to the coming 5 series but with stiffer steering. After 22.5 kmiles, i'm getting a little better mileage than ever. I got 40.5 mpg on the way home from Galveston with cruise set at 68 mph. Very flat road though [after Galveston causeway].
I wouldn't worry about temporary market share loss to Mercedes and Audi. We have been waiting on Audi's slow ass since 2008 when they teased about A4 TDI. And A6 will get TDI first so they can pull the diesel wanters upmarket to A6 money.
January 28, 2013, 9:52 pm
Before BMW even releases their diesels next year, Audi will have Q5, Q7, A3, A6, A7, and A8 TDI here. Mercedes will have GLK, ML, GL, E, S, and C class diesels. Hell, the ML and E Class will be sold with TWO diesels within the next year. Both 4 and 6 cylinder models.
So it's BMW's "slow ass" ****ing around and not bringing diesels here.
The 5d is not until the LCI next year. X3d isn't until LCI. 7 series isn't until next year.
January 28, 2013, 9:57 pm
The 5d is not until the LCI next year...
January 28, 2013, 10:47 pm
Before BMW even releases their diesels next year, Audi will have Q5, Q7, A3, A6, A7, and A8 TDI here. Mercedes will have GLK, ML, GL, E, S, and C class diesels. Hell, the ML and E Class will be sold with TWO diesels within the next year. Both 4 and 6 cylinder models.
So it's BMW's "slow ass" ****ing around and not bringing diesels here.
The 5d is not until the LCI next year. X3d isn't until LCI. 7 series isn't until next year.
January 29, 2013, 12:22 am
MB E250 Bluetec will replace E350 Bluetec
http://news.finecarsexotics.com/car-...0-bluetec-9143
I am wondering why they don't offer G-Class 350 Bluetec. This amazing off-road machine will benefit from the low rpm high torque diesel
Rubicon diesel will also be a good off-road addition
I believe they might offer Rubicon in the near future with the same italian diesel engine that will be used in Cherokee or at least it's a good idea
My personal opinion is that the all electric vehicles are lost cause
Nobody wants to be hanging in the middle of nowhere desperately waiting for help
Diesel hybrids would have much better chance
Check out this:
http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/25...chieve-65-mpg/
Too bad the Peugeout was pulled out of USA in 1991. They make one of the best diesel engines in the world
January 29, 2013, 1:23 am
And to top it all off Mazda is RACING their new SkyActive diesel in a Mazda 6 sedan in the Rolex series. The more oil burners the merrier I always say.
January 29, 2013, 5:56 am
http://news.finecarsexotics.com/car-...0-bluetec-9143
I am wondering why they don't offer G-Class 350 Bluetec. This amazing off-road machine will benefit from the low rpm high torque diesel
Rubicon diesel will also be a good off-road addition
I believe they might offer Rubicon in the near future with the same italian diesel engine that will be used in Cherokee or at least it's a good idea
My personal opinion is that the all electric vehicles are lost cause
Nobody wants to be hanging in the middle of nowhere desperately waiting for help
Diesel hybrids would have much better chance
Check out this:
http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/25...chieve-65-mpg/
Too bad the Peugeout was pulled out of USA in 1991. They make one of the best diesel engines in the world
The new Peugeot diesels suffer from intake manifold crud - per my nephew in France - unless you drive them like you are supposed to - hard.
PL
January 29, 2013, 6:49 am
http://news.finecarsexotics.com/car-...0-bluetec-9143
January 29, 2013, 10:49 am
All these marques are trying to get up to the forthcoming CAFE standards so we will see a plethora of "economical" engines coming up -- fortunately that does include lots of oil burners!
January 29, 2013, 11:05 am
I rethought my statement on the E250 though, if it were offered with a manual transmission then I'd consider one. This assumes that the base price would not be drastically north of where it is today for the current Bluetec and actually hopefully would be less.
January 29, 2013, 9:21 pm
Before BMW even releases their diesels next year, Audi will have Q5, Q7, A3, A6, A7, and A8 TDI here. Mercedes will have GLK, ML, GL, E, S, and C class diesels. Hell, the ML and E Class will be sold with TWO diesels within the next year. Both 4 and 6 cylinder models.
So it's BMW's "slow ass" ****ing around and not bringing diesels here.
The 5d is not until the LCI next year. X3d isn't until LCI. 7 series isn't until next year.
I am a sedan person. A test drove the A3 but wasn't impressed. A Q7 was way too much size for me as I already have a full size ram truck [that i have kept] and wanted something that would get mid to high thirties in the mileage dept. I didn't think settling for an A3 would be a happy experience with its 101" wheel base. So, I really wanted the compromise between the 2 extremes and it just wasn't happening. So, the closest thing i see coming to an A4 is an A6 which is more money. So in 2011, i decided i couldn't wait for a 2014 A4 B9 and went for the 2011 335D. My one regret is the 110" wheel base in the A4 and F30 but neither have the turbodiesel. 3 years was too long to wait and i didn't want to poney up A6 money. I'm not a Q5 fan but not dissing them. Just not my cup of tea.
I did test drive a 2008 common rail diesel equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes built V6 turbodiesel. It is nothing like the 335D in terms of performance.
The funny thing about the A6 TDI is it appears the first thing coming out from BMW appears to be its nearest competitor in the 535D [some are saying 530D but you get my point].
So, the slow ass comment is probably not as a whole fair toward Audi but it is fair in the mid size sedan segment. E350 bluetec is the only game in town right now this minute but once again its starting cost is in the region of A6 at ~$62 grand.
January 29, 2013, 9:26 pm
January 30, 2013, 10:14 am
I saw an article that did say the new GLK 250d would only be offered as a "4-Motion" -- I just hope that is "at first". Since the 2wd will get better mileage -- if only because of lighter weight -- it would make sense to bring it over. I believe the Q5 TDI is also a 4WD only (for now) offerning too.
January 30, 2013, 10:23 am
Q5 TDI will be Quattro-only. They don't make a FWD Q5...in any engine configuration.
January 30, 2013, 10:25 am
Even the mid-level A6 bases under $50k. Add about $4k for the TDI, would base around $54k.
Let's not forget a 3 series can EASILY get into mid-$50k region these days.
January 30, 2013, 10:27 am
This year...
January 30, 2013, 2:53 pm
thanks for correcting my bad e350 Blutech cost #. Just as a point of refernce, base MSRP for a 335D was $44k for 2011 model. Yes, my msport with several packages was $57k sticker. I guess my point is that i normally am going to throw 8 to 10 grand in upgrades with sport and nav and premium (BMW) or premium plus (A4) along with premium stereo.
So, an A6 nicely equipped could be pushing $58k with TDI. Sorry to distract the thread with cost whining :-).
January 30, 2013, 3:03 pm
January 30, 2013, 3:57 pm
I'd love to see any premium make /Audi, BMW, MB/ diesel with manual box /not counting VW/
January 30, 2013, 5:06 pm
I am addicted to torque so who so ever offers 400+ torques gets my business. A4, 3 or C. 5 series, A6 or E class will probably be over budget and overkill for my driving needs.
February 3, 2013, 9:59 am
Looks like the first new BMW diesel offerings will be available in July.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=674043
February 3, 2013, 10:01 am
February 3, 2013, 10:16 am
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=674043
February 3, 2013, 10:45 am
I got some good inside info about the Diesel's coming later this week.
Tim
Any engine info for us?
thanks in advance
February 3, 2013, 2:59 pm
I was sure the name of the 3-series 2L diesel will be 328d. The last thing is we hope manual will be available